Welcome
Hi - I'm Dan a passionate adventurer, British army veteran and keen outdoorsman who loves a challenge in the great outdoors.
FATHER - VETERAN - ADVENTURER - SURVIVALIST - SPEAKER - COACH
Be inspired, discover adventure and reach new limits with Dan Smith
Dan Smith believes that everyone deserves to live their best life and live it to the fullest. That's why he's created a website filled with resources to help you do just that. From his inspiring challenges to expedition advice, planning and training tips to discover your true potential. So come explore our site and see how we can help you achieve your goals and challenges.
Welcome to Dan Smith!
About Dan
My Story
Hi there - I'm Dan Smith, a proud father of two and co-founder (along with my wife, Caroline) of a successful fitness and outdoor company, Northern Bootcamp and sister company Northern outdoor Based in Northumberland. My passion is my job - helping people to step out of their comfort zones to challenge themselves physically and mentally and armed with the tools to make life long changes.
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My Mission
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My mission is to inspire and empower people to make positive changes in their lives through challenge and adventure.
I believe that the human body is capable of much more than we think.
Everyone deserves to feel their best, and I am committed to providing the tools and resources to help them achieve their goals.
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My Values
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As a father / former soldier I value integrity, authenticity, and community. I believe in being transparent and honest with our customers, and we strive to create a supportive and inclusive community that welcomes everyone now, no matter how big or small your challenge is.
VETERAN
Dan Smith, former Sergeant and Army Physical Training Instructor. Dan served his country for over a decade in the Royal Artillery as a Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Commander where he and his crew played a key part in, depth-fire operations in Afghanistan, 2007. Dan also served multiple operational tours in Northern Ireland, as well as leading adventure expeditions around the world.
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Since leaving the military, Dan has raised over £30,000 in his solo adventure challenges.
SPEAKER
Dan is an honest, inspiring and truly passionate speaker, able to draw out the unique aspects of his challenge and cover topics that relate to us all. The appreciation of simple things, the understanding of what our bodies and minds are really capable of, the need for perseverance, self belief and breaking overcoming barriers on a daily basis. Being in touch with the environment, being overwhelmed by the positive side to the human race we are all so eager to disregard. For a talk delivered with passion, bursting with excitement and guaranteed to inspire and motivate each individual to do something different and step outside their comfort zone, then Dan Smith could be your man.
ADVENTURER
Stepping out of his own comfort zone, Dan is consistently looking for personal adventure and challenge. As a keen outdoorsman and adventurer, he specialises in creating his own unique endurance challenges, preferring those that have never been completed by man before that he knows will test his mental strength and physical strength to the limits. The Paddle of Britain is such an event and will undoubtedly be the first of many.
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The Paddle of Britain started as an idea of the paddle of Scotland, however upon research and the suggestion from an experienced kayaker that people have done similar things, it soon became bigger and better. On the morning of Wednesday 29 August 2018, Dan set off with a kayak and a trolley and a boat full of supplies, from Durness, Northern Scotland. Dan finished 53 days on the South West cost of Little Hampton. The route of travel was inland, utilising lochs, lakes, reservoirs, rivers and canals throughout Scotland and England. When there was no inland waterway, Dan simply dragged his kayak (Nicknamed Tommy) behind him. The Kayak weighed over 80kg and was full with equipment for self survival. His main accommodation was a one man tent and his main food supply was dry rations of 840kcal per meal. To aid his overland travel, he designed a purpose built trolley system, which was relied upon for over 200miles, however, when travelling over the highlands of Scotland, the only useful system was the brute strength and force of his body to carry and drag the kayak and all. Dan embraced the need for self-sufficiency, sleeping and camping wild along the route.
Dan now is set to travel to the mighty Yukon in summer 2025 and paddle one of the most remote rivers in the world solo. Click here for more info...
SURVIVALIST
Dan Smith is a highly skilled and experienced survival instructor known for his expertise in wilderness survival and outdoor education. With a passion for the great outdoors and a deep understanding of survival techniques, Dan is dedicated to teaching others the necessary skills to thrive in nature. His extensive knowledge of outdoor survival, including shelter building, fire starting, water sourcing, foraging for food, first aid, and navigation, has made him a respected figure in the survival community.
Dan's approach to teaching emphasises practical and hands-on learning, ensuring that his students are well-prepared to handle real-life survival situations. He is known for his ability to effectively communicate complex concepts in a way that is accessible and engaging for learners of all levels. Whether leading workshops, conducting wilderness expeditions, or providing one-on-one instruction, Dan is committed to empowering his students with the confidence and skills needed to navigate and survive in the wilderness.
In addition to his technical expertise, Dan is respected for his strong focus on safety and responsible outdoor practices. He emphasises the importance of environmental stewardship and teaches his students how to minimise their impact on natural resources while honing their survival skills. His ethical approach to survival education sets him apart as an instructor who values both the well-being of his students and the preservation of the natural world.
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